A COMEDIAN IN DIFFICULTIES.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2996, 2 November 1882, Page 2

A COMEDIAN IN DIFFICULTIES.

Mr John L. Hall, the well-known comedian, convened a first meeting of his creditors at the Supreme Courthouse, Wellington, yesterday afternoon. According to filed statements, the.debtor’s liabilities amount to £919 5s Bd, the principal item being a sum of £7lO 3s Bd, alleged to bo due to Mr P. M.' Willmott, theatrical agent of Christchurch, which claim, however, Mr Hall disputes. The list of liabilities also includes the following : —Mr Melville, manager Bank of Australia, Christ*

church,£so ; Mr Pritchard, Christchurch £39 ; Mr D. Mills, Dunedin, £26 10s ; “ Evening Star,” Auckland, £18; Mr W. Warner, Christchurch, £l6los. The only asset is about £25 worth of theatrical dresses. Attached to the statement of liabilities and assets is an affidavit sworn to by Mr Hull, which sets forth the. circumstances under which he was arrested on the 26th at the instance of Mr Willmott, who “falsely asserts" that the sum of £7lO 3s 8d is owing to him by the insolvent, and states that in consequence of his arrest he had been put to great inconvenience and loss, and had been compelled to file a declaration of insolvency. There is -also an affidavit on the part of Mr F. Lazelle, theatrical agent, who states that he has no reason to suspect that Mr Hall intends to leave New Zealand until after the termination of his tour in December next. The meeting was attended by eight creditors, and Mrßoothman occupied the chair. Mr H. B. Duncan was elected creditors’ trustee.